We're raising money for kids hospitals with NVIDIA and Gameloft, and you could win a Shield tablet!

This weekend I'm participating in Extra Life, a fundraiser by avid gamers to raise money for local children's hospitals. It's a bit of a marathon, whereby participants play games (board games, video games - whatever you're into) for 24 hours straight. Last time I did this, I hauled my PC gaming rig to our group's headquarters for the event, but this year I'm traveling light and playing mobile games exclusively. We've partnered up with Gameloft and NVIDIA for the event, so I'll be playing titles like Asphalt 8: Airborne, Modern Combat 5, and Order & Chaos on the Shield Tablet for the whole event. If you're one of our top ten contributors, you'll have a chance to win a SHIELD portable with carrying case, or a SHIELD tablet with controller and cover. As a cherry on top, both come with a $15 Google Play Store Gift Card.

So where's the money going? Extra Life works through the Children's Miracle Network, which spans hundreds of hospitals through the U.S. and Canada. They disperse funds for research and training, equipment, and pay for uncompensated care. My group is raising cash for an Ottawa kid's hospital, CHEO, but it's dead simple to find and donate to a children's hospital in your area. This year's Extra Life has already raised $2.2 million, and we'll be pitching in our fair share too.

If you're free this weekend and want to get involved, start a team and spread the word! If you can't swing that, at least pitch in a few bucks using the widget below or this link. All donations are tax deductible, and your workplace may even have a donation matching program in place. Be sure to check!

We'll be reminding folks to donate again just before the event on Saturday. At some point in the day we'll be running a Twitch stream with Gameloft, where you'll get to see just how much I suck at Asphalt 8. Early next week we'll randomly pick two of my top 10 donations for the awesome NVIDIA prize packs. Be sure your name is visible when you donate so we can easily track you down and let you know you've won. We're only shipping the prize to the U.S. and Canada, but don't let that stop you from participating anyway.

Pitch in and game on! How many of you guys are participating in Extra Life?